On December 31, 2023, an intruder broke into the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple and committed arson in the archival storage area of the basement, resulting in considerable fire and water damage to the Temple archives. Thousands of archival records and artifacts were damaged.

The restoration work is still ongoing, and Arson Restoration Project Committee (ARPC) has set up a webpage for donations. The Seattle archival community has pitched in to volunteer time, expertise and resources to ensure that the temple’s historically valuable materials are not lost.

On November 15, 1901, Rev. Kakuryo Nishijima performed the first Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service in the Pacific Northwest. This event marked the establishment of the temple. On October 4, 1941, the current temple complex was dedicated, and in 1986, the temple was included as part of the Chinatown historic district in Seattle, which is registered in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Betsuin Temple is an important part of Seattle and King County history, providing Buddhist education and documenting the history of the Japanese and Asian communities in the International District of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.

Images of arson damage at the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple.

The J. Franklin Jameson Archival Advocacy Award honors an individual, institution, or organization that promotes greater public awareness, appreciation, or support of archival activities or programs. The individual’s or institution’s contributions may take the form of advocacy, publicity, legislation, or financial support fosters archival work or raises public consciousness of the importance of archival work.